An outstanding teacher must have the ability to inspire and motivate students. They must be warm, enthusiastic, and passionate about learning and life. It is important for teachers to intuitively understand their students and adapt their teaching methods based on what is and is not working. Good teachers enjoy working with children, are flexible, and help students believe in themselves.

1. Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be an outstanding
teacher.
A teacher is a person who plays a virtual role in the development of children. The
future of children depends on the quilty and determination of the teacher. A teacher must
have a way of making their children believe in themselves and give their students the
feeling they can be successful. A good teacher must also be enthusiastic, out going, have
good listening skills, a sense of humor and be able to adapt to different situations.
Children will learn more if their teacher is excited about learning and life. A good
teacher must be able to adapt to changes when students are not learning. If one way isn’t
working a good teacher will change and adapt his/her teaching methods.
Good teachers are people who enjoy their jobs, are flexible and enjoy working with
children.
I am a warm, enthusiastic person who lives in the world of possibilities, and can become
very passionate and excited about things. This enthusiasm lends me the ability to inspire
and motivate others. I love life, and strive to make the most out of it. I have the amazing
ability to intuitively perceive the truth about a person or situation, which is important
when being a teacher.
2. How would you address a wide range of skills in your classroom?
I would address a wide range of skills in my classroom in many ways. Many times I
would place a child, whose skills were more advanced with another student, whose skills were
not as advanced so that both could learn from each other. I would make sure that children would
also have time to work as a whole class, independently or in small groups, giving them time to
ask questions from me, going to the learning centers, and learning from each other. Learning
centers are a good way for students to play and work either alone or with their friends. This gives
them the opportunity to guide their own learning.
As the teacher I try to find out what each student is interested in and to try and keep him or her
motivated and feeling special by incorporating their interests into the classroom. Sometimes if a
student needs more help I will give him or her one-on-one time or ask a more advanced student
to help out making both students feel special.
It is important to treat each student in the classroom as an individual, work with their strengths,
help them learn to socialize with others and be successful in school.

2. Please explain how your past personal and professional experience make you a
quality candidate for the position for which you are applying.
From October 2006 to June 2009, I have worked as a floater at a childcare center in
Northbrook, IL. I learned how to work with children of all age groups from, the age of 2
to 6 years old and how they learn and develop into healthy adults.
From August 2000 to October 2006 I worked, as a Teachers Assistant at a daycare
where I have learned that it is important to make the children feel welcome and have a
positive experience at school. Preschool is very important because it is the children’s
first experience at school and you want them to enjoy school.
It is amazing how much children learn through constructive play and how they can teach
themselves from just playing with something as simple as playdoo. I have also helped the
children learn how to solve their problems and improve their social skills. I have taught
gross motor games like baseball, basketball, four corners, and soccer. I have assisted in
cooking activities, set up and taught art activities, setup dramatic play areas, taught the
children gardening and woodworking.
As a Kindergarten Classroom Assistant, I helped teach the children the days of the week
and months of the year, counting, and calendar time. I helped teach the children to read
and write, to use phonics and to be able to write their names in cursive. We taught some
basic math like odd and even numbers which lead to adding and subtracting. I also did art
and science projects every week.
They always seem to flock toward me and my happy, go lucky personality
wherever I go. I have had over 8 years experience working with children at childcare
centers and believe that makes me qualified for the job I am applying for.